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Click here to visit "Virtual Sisters," the website for Lael, Nancy and Carroll, self-proclaimed Crusty Old Broads and Deseret Book bestselling authors.

Why Crusty Old Broads?

In our trilogy, "The Company of Good Women," a COB—a Crusty Old Broad—is a woman who, in the face of whatever life sends her way, "pulls up her socks and goes on." We all feel that we’ve pulled up our socks many times!

Who are the Crusty Old Broads?

Nancy Anderson’s writing has taken a back seat to raising five "intriguing" children and being grandma to eleven active grandchildren. Aside from family, her passion is gardening. Her lovely back yard has been the scene of many special neighborhood and family events.

Nancy says, "Writing Deenie’s story has been a delightful way to share my own experiences and the fictionalized stories of women I have known. Many thanks to my loving husband and supportive family."Nancy lives in Sandy, Utah, with her husband, Jim, and her dog, Pepper.

Lael Jensen Littke grew up on a farm in Mink Creek, Idaho, where she herded cows and dreamed of being a writer someday. She would live in a penthouse in New York City and wear glamorous leopardskin pants (Lael saw too many movies).

After graduation from Utah State University, she went to Denver to pursue a career, but instead met a young man named George Littke whom she married. When George received a fellowship to finish his doctoral studies at New York University, Lael knew her dreams were coming true. Forget the penthouse and leopardskin pants. She settled for an excellent writing teacher at City College of New York and before long began selling short stories. When the family, which now included a small daughter, moved to California, Lael found another outstanding writing teacher at Pasadena City College and got started writing novels for young adults and children.

Her credits now include more than 40 books for young people, plus a series of three women’s novels co-authored with Nancy Anderson and Carroll Morris. She says she needs to apply for a life extension because she has at least another 40 book ideas.

Her philosophy can be summed up in this anonymous quotation:

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow, what a ride!”

Carroll Morris says, "I remember I writing some poems in 4th grade. I gave them to my teacher, and she promptly lost them! The short story I wrote in sixth grade fared better: 'The Horse’s Grave' appeared in the grade-school paper, 'The Puppy Dog’s Tale.'"

After that, Carroll’s fledgling writing career went underground for thirty years, until she wrote her first novel. She’s been writing ever since then—fiction and self-help books because she loves them and catalog copy to help put four children through college.

Carroll and husband Gary, retired three years ago to Green Valley, Arizona.

Friday, July 3, 2009

By Carroll: Agent in Old Lace

The phrase, “It started with a bang,” has been used to describe the beginning of all manner of things, from the universe itself, to movies and, of course, to books. It’s meant as a positive description—except when used in tandem with, “and it ended with a whimper.”

Tristi Pinkston has avoided that pitfall in her new suspense novel, Agent in Old Lace. It starts with a bang as the object of Shannon’s affection, Mark, kidnaps her with the intent of killing her. It has plenty of action and suspense throughout, and it delivers a surprise at the end, which readers always enjoy.

The part of the plot that has Mark bilking many of Shannon’s clients through a Ponzi scheme (think Bernie Madoff) is timely and believable. When Mark escapes, an FBI agent (Rick) is assigned to protect Shannon. He has to show up in drag to do so, hence the title, Agent in Old Lace. While I found this plotline not so believable, it provides many opportunities for humor as well as some sweet exchanges that move Shannon and Rick’s budding romance forward.

I liked Shannon very much. She’s a gutsy character who doesn’t let circumstances take over her life. I only wish I’d had the chance to know her better up front. The downside to a writer jumping headlong into action is that readers haven’t been given the chance to develop empathy for the characters.

If Tristi had started the book with scenes showing Shannon meeting Mark, becoming impressed by his business acumen, and falling in love with his charming side, I would have felt how devastating his betrayal was rather that reading about how devastating it was.

That aside, I found Agent in Old Lace an enjoyable summer read. Congratulations to Tristi, who is known to readers for her historical fiction, for making a successful transition into the suspense genre.

Sister Site

On the Shelves Now!

The long awaited and fourth novel of Carroll Hofeling Morris and Nancy Anderson, Leaning into the Curves is now available at Deseret Book stores and through their online services. www.deseretbook.com

Leaning into the Curves

Molly is happy with her life the way it is, taking the classes she loves and performing with the Fiddling Finleys. But everything changes when her husband, Hank, retires. She's still trying to adjust to this new phase of her life when he brings home a Honda Gold Wing--even though he knows she hates motorcycles! Things go from bad to worse when he joins the Temple Riders Association, a "Mormon motorcycle gang" that combines road trips with temple work.

Faced with the prospect of being left hebind when Hank rides with his rew friends, Molly starts making some changes of her own.
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Leaning into the Curves offers a delightful view of a little-known group of faithful Latter-day Saints. Full of appealing characters and unexpected turns, it gives a new twist to what life can be like after "a certain age"!
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"Funny, touching, and outrageously on the mark. I see a best seller here." Mary McLain

Related Article

Check out Will Some Body Please Explain Retirement to Me by Carroll recently published online, May 19, 2010, under the column line upon line in Meridian Magazine. It's a nice tie in with the book and even features a link to purchase Leaning into the Curves. Mercy! What fun! meridianmagazine.com

"Surprise Packages," third volume in "The Company of Good Women" series

Surprise Packages is the best book of the series! —Erma Carrier-This series is an endearing tribute to women and every kind of love they experience—times three. —Ginger Franz-Click here to purchase, and be sure to stay tuned for the Virtual Book Tour which is coming in August!